Joe Gibbs is apparently headed back to NASCAR following his resignation Tuesday as coach of the Washington Redskins.

Gibbs formed his NASCAR team in 1992 during his first retirement, but turned control of the three-car organization to son J.D. when he returned to the Redskins four years ago. He made sporadic appearances on race day, but spent most of his time in Washington with the football team. Now he’s free to be directly involved again in racing — his teams have won three championships since 2000 — but during a news conference in Virginia, he gave no clear indication what his role will be during a news conference in Virginia.

“We’ve got our family business there, it’s real important to all of us,” Gibbs said. “We spent [16] years building it, and it’s a huge part of our family. That will be a big part of my life and a big part of me.”

Lee White, senior vice president of Toyota Racing Development, said J.D. Gibbs called him Tuesday morning to inform him of the elder Gibbs’ decision.

“We discussed how it was great that it was Joe’s decision, and J.D. is very pleased and thrilled to think that he’ll have Joe close at hand,” White said. “J.D. still runs the team. But as far as renewing sponsorships and extending drivers and wining and dining new sponsors, Joe is going to be available and be a help, not a hindrance, in those things.”

ESPN.com